If you want to try your hand at showing, there are many different options available to you. The western showing world in the UK is very friendly, with everyone willing to help you if you are new to the sport.
What Shows Can I Enter?
- Pure bred horses and those with appendix papers can compete in AQHA Shows, Western Equestrian Society shows and any open competitions.
- Part bred horses (Section II & III) can only compete in AQHA.UK shows where special all breed or part bred classes are included. Western Equestrian Society shows and open competition.
Ask to see the horse’s AQHA and AQHA.UK papers and check that transfer records are up to date and show the correct current owner. If there is any doubt call the Administrator for verification.
What Should I Show In?
In AQHA competitions, there are several divisions, No matter what your level of expertise, if you have the desire to compete, the American Quarter Horse Association has structured shows and show divisions to ensure everyone has an even chance to compete and succeed no matter what your age, experience or area of expertise. Other Associations such as WES, NRHA and Open Shows will have their own criteria.
Novice: Program to introduce exhibitors to AQHA-approved shows and allow them to compete with others with similar skills in Youth and Amateur divisions. To be eligible, an individual cannot have earned 25 AQHA novice amateur, amateur, novice youth, youth or open points, or any combination thereof, in a skill set; or, won a world or reserve world in an AQHA approved event, national or reserve national championship title in any equine breed organization; or won a total of $5,000 in cash and prizes with any equine breed organization, or been an accredited horse show judge. Halter points do not count against novice eligibility. Novice points are not recorded on the horse’s performance record. If an individual is considered a novice upon application, he/she will be considered a novice for that calendar year.
Novice Permit: The AQHA Novice Permit Program was established to introduce new and potential exhibitors to AQHA-approved shows and allows them to compete with others of similar skills in the youth and amateur divisions. With the Permit, novice youth and novice amateur AQHA and AQHYA members are now eligible to exhibit any registered American Quarter Horse at AQHA-approved shows without the obligations or expense of owning the horse. It allows the novice members to “Try Before You Buy.” For more information see the AQHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations, rule 405 (a).
Youth: The American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) is open to American Quarter Horses enthusiasts 10 years of age or younger as of January 1st. The AQHYA shows normally as scheduled in conjunction with AQHA approved shows. Virtually all types of classes are offered to youth exhibitors.
Amateur: An exhibitor who has not shown, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse (whether or not a registered American Quarter Horse) for remuneration, monetary or otherwise, either directly or indirectly, nor received remuneration for instructing another person in riding, driving, training or showing a horse for five calendar years previous to application for Amateur membership. Amateurs must exhibit a horse in their ownership or in the ownership of someone directly related to them, i.e., spouse, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, spouse’s parent, spouse’s step-parent, sibling’s spouse, half-sibling’s spouse, sibling’s child, sibling’s step-child, half-sibling’s child, half-sibling’s step-child, step-sibling’s child, step-sibling’s step-child, parent’s sibling, parent’s half-sibling, parent’s step-sibling, parent’s siblings child, parent’s sibling’s step-child, parent’s half-sibling’s child, parent’s half-sibling’s stepchild, parent’s step-sibling child, parent’s step-sibling’s step-child, grandparents, legal ward or legal guardian. Separate legal entities, such as family corporations, trusts, or partnerships, are also authorized owners of the amateur exhibitor’s horse so long as all legal and equitable owners and beneficiaries of the legal entity are individuals specifically authorized by this rule. The relationship of the Amateur to the owner of the participating horse must be evidenced by submitting legal documentation (i.e., copies of marriage and/or birth certificates) to AQHA’s Show Department. Every person competing in an Amateur class at any AQHA approved show must hold an Amateur membership and be 19 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the current year.
Amateur Permit: Amateur card holders may ride horses owned by someone other than immediate family members in any open division performance class for which they have been granted exemption by AQHA with no penalty, provided the amateur Member pays all entry fees and expenses in connection with showing. For more information see the AQHA Handbook Rules and Regulations, rule 403 (g).
Open: Anyone possessing a current AQHA or AQHYA membership may show their American Quarter Horse in open competition. Although usually for the most experienced competitors, many amateur and youth are serious enough competitors in open classes. Open classes can be divided according to the age of the horse: Junior Horses (5 years or under) and Senior Horses (6 year of age or older). Amateur exhibitors must meet the ownership requirements even if they are competing in an open class. A youth can show another person’s horse in the open division; however, this could jeopardise their amateur status.
Green: These are Open classes and are designed as an entry level class for horses. Horses, regardless of their age, may be ridden with one hand and a standard western bit as approved by AQHA equipment rules or with two hands and a snaffle bit or bosal as described under AQHA equipment rules for each class. Eligibility: Horses in their first year of showing in AQHA approved shows in the respective classes. Horses that have shown during previous years in AQHA-approved green, open, amateur or youth, but have not won more than 10 points or won more than $1,000 in these classes as of January 1 of the current show year. Points from all divisions will count and are cumulative in determining eligibility. Novice points will not count. Green points are not counted towards All-Arounds
Select (50 years & over): AQHA approved shows may offer up to three amateur performance classes as all-age and 50 and over. These classes are designed to provide competition to the more mature amateur exhibitors.
For information on some classes you’ll find in AQHA Shows click on the below links. This is not by any means a full and comprehensive list, just a list of the most popular classes – a full list and description of all classes that AQHA offer can be checked on the AQHA (American) website by clicking here
